Diane Courtney Vaughan

Diane C. Vaughan, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on July 20, 2024 at the University of Vermont Medical Center, surrounded by her family.

 A proud Philadelphia native, Diane was born on March 30, 1942 and grew up in Germantown with her loving parents, Audrey ‘Audie’ and William ‘Fwilly’ White, and younger sister Cheryl ‘Sedsie.’ She married Richard W. Stidham in 1962, with whom she had three children, Bill, Kim, and Jen. In 1998, Diane married Douglas Vaughan, with whom she shared a beautiful and loving 25 years together, embracing his family into her own. Family was the center of Diane’s life and she loved all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren deeply and unconditionally, with grace, joy, and fierce support and pride. She was the epitome of strength, love, and friendship, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be cherished by those who knew her.

 Diane earned a BA in Psychology from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, in 1989, studying tirelessly with curiosity and enthusiasm while working full time and raising her family alone. Her children remain immensely proud of her accomplishment, remembering fondly the hard work and tenacity with which she approached education. Diane was an accomplished pianist, and loved playing for her children and her faith communities, filling her home and church with joyful music. She loved listening to music, especially Elvis Presley and George Strait, and enjoyed knitting and ceramics, crafting gifts that her children cherish. She loved to travel near and far, going on road trips, visiting family and friends, and exploring new places. Diane especially was drawn to the serenity of water, enjoying walking along the beach and listening to the crashing of waves, reading by a stream in Estes Park, CO, or passing an afternoon along the shores of Lake Champlain with her husband, Douglas. Our family feels especially blessed to have recently spent a week gathered around Diane at the beach in North Carolina. 

 Diane was devoted to helping others throughout her lifetime, counseling individuals and families who struggled with financial challenges and acting as a caring advocate for them. In her retirement, she became deeply interested in genealogy and helped countless families research and connect with their family roots, especially volunteering much of her time and skill to FamilySearch. She also volunteered to help Vermont flood victims apply for financial assistance through Vermont Disaster Relief Fund (VDRF) and Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD). Her expertise and empathy touched the lives of many over the years.

 Surrounded by her family, Diane passed away peacefully, leaving behind grieving but grateful family members and friends. She is survived by her husband Douglas; children William Stidham (and life partner Todd) of Oak Island, NC, Kimberly Kurz (and wife Patricia) of Dawsonville, GA, Jennifer Purcell (and husband Robert) of Georgia, VT. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Karl (Caroline), Isabel, Bruce, and Liam, and great-granddaughter, Lily, and Douglas’s children, Jeffrey Vaughan (Deanna), Richard Vaughan (Jennifer), Rebecca Christofferson (Andrew), Valerie Cottle (Brian); grandchildren, Christopher, Joshua, Jesse, Jordan, Alexis, Allison, Brooke, Cassidy, Elizabeth, Clara, Nelson, and Anna; great-grandchildren Grace, Henry, Cameron, and Benjamin. She is predeceased by her beloved parents, William and Audrey White, sister Cheryl Kirner, first husband, Richard Stidham, and her cherished in-laws, Charles and Lucille Vaughan.

 A funeral service to celebrate Diane Vaughan's generous and loving life and legacy will be held on August 5th, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 22 Bushey Rd., St Albans, VT. The service will begin at 3:00 PM to honor a remarkable woman whose kindness knew no bounds. Diane's memory will forever remain etched in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. May she rest in peace knowing that she made the world a brighter place with every smile she shared and every life she touched.

Donations in her honor may made to St. Jude's Children Hospital here